Woke British university cracks down on use of 'Christian name' claiming it is offensive

A woke university has come under fire for trying to stop the use of 'Christian name'
A woke university has come under fire for trying to stop the use of 'Christian name'
Wiki Commons
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 16/02/2023

- 10:50

Students have also been advised against using the word ‘surname’

A woke university is facing backlash for trying to ban the phrase “Christian name” as bosses claim it is offensive.

The University of Kent is urging students to stop using the term as it only relates to Christians.


To avoid offense, it suggests students say “first name” or “given name”.

The university also said using “surname” could be deemed patriarchal because it derives from “sire-name”.

File photo dated 16/07/08 of university graduates, as nearly two in three student tenants are struggling with rent payments, a survey has suggested. More than two in five (41%) of students surveyed said they have thought about dropping out of university because of either rent or bills.
Students are being advised against using the terms
Chris Ison

Guidelines say the phrase is allowed but discouraged.

University chiefs have proposed the term “family name” instead to be "more acceptable".

Recommendations on what students should say in regard to names is listed on the University of Kent's Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity pages online.

Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern's head of public policy said the university was “displaying an irrational fear of using the term ‘Christian’ as if it is something to be ashamed of”.

“Christianity has provided the moral and spiritual foundation for Western civilisation,” he told The Telegraph.

“This move to police language is another symptom of the abandonment of Christianity.”

Founder of the Free Speech Union Toby Young said the guideline were an example of the “woke movement” trying to control what language is considered offensive.

He added that the trend has been replicated from American universities.

Toby Young has slammed the guidelines put in place by the University of Kent
Toby Young has slammed the guidelines put in place by the University of Kent
GB News

Young said: “You might even say we've been colonised.

“Policing language is a hallmark of every totalitarian society.”

The University of Kent said it wanted to create an inclusive community for its students.

A spokesperson said: “These are guidelines not policies.”

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